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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2015-09-22 Daily Xml
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Taxation Reform

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright) (14:28): My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer update the house on the prospects for meaningful tax reform following the recent changes to the federal cabinet?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:28): I would like to thank the member for Wright for her question and her keen interest in tax reform. We remain committed to engaging in serious and balanced discussions about how to best create a stronger nation with a fairer, equitable and competitive tax regime. Members would be aware that the state government has already undertaken a comprehensive process that has delivered the largest package of tax cuts in the state's history.

Earlier this year we embarked on a review of our state's tax system. We released a discussion paper to encourage community involvement, and we held a series of public forums in both metro and regional South Australia. We made sure that we talked to the community, industry, all of South Australia, about how we could best shape our state's tax system. The overwhelming feedback was received that we had to remove those taxes that were an impediment to business growth.

We needed to create a system that was free of inefficiencies, rewarded effort and encouraged, rather than hindered, economic activity. The outcome of the review resulted in a series of recommendations that will have a profound and lasting impact on our economy. However, we know we must do more.

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley is called to order.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: We must continue our work with the commonwealth to redefine the nation's tax system to ensure our state and our country's long-term prosperity. The recent change of leader and subsequent cabinet reshuffles mean it's now more important that we continue these vital discussions.

Both the Premier and I have already pursued at a national level the importance of appropriate taxation of online betting agencies. This was raised during the South Australian tax review both by industry and the concerned sector, and it is not about revenue, but about competitive neutrality and harm minimisation. South Australia will continue to push for appropriate taxation arrangements for both traditional and online wagering operators that could even the playing field and increase tax neutrality. It is also important that all online wagering operators pay their fair share towards harm minimisation, which includes measures to address problem gambling.

The single biggest imperative for tax reform is the urgent need to address Australia's health funding. Of all the areas in which government spends money, health is the one that will demand the most attention and careful management in the years ahead. The increasing cost of health and hospital services is more than any of the states and territories can handle under the current tax and grant revenue regime.

New Assistant Treasurer Hon. Kelly O'Dwyer has been described as the minister for tax reform, and that is certainly something we would like to see on this side of the house. So, we say to the commonwealth government, 'Talk to us about the future of this nation. Talk to the people of South Australia about how they will be best served by working together to deliver outcomes, not through arbitrary cuts.' We remain committed to a process of real dialogue and practical reform that will result in practical long-term reform for the South Australian and Australian economies.

I look forward to working with the new Turnbull cabinet, especially Treasurer Scott Morrison and Assistant Treasurer Kelly O'Dwyer, as together we seek to engage in a serious and balanced discussion about how best to create a stronger nation with a fair, equitable and competitive tax regime.

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